Sheet-metal construction for truck bodies, racks, etc.



July 17, 1923. 1.461.906

A. S. HUGHES SHEET METAL CONSTRUCTION FOR TRU-CK BODIES, HACKS, ETC

Filed Dec. 26, 1919 9 sheets-sheet 1 July 17, 19.23. 1,461,906 I A. S.HUGHES SHEET METAL CONSTRUCTION FOR TRUCK BODIES, RACKS, ETC

Filed D80. 26 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY July 1 '7,v 19.23.

A. S. HUGHES SHEET METAL CONSTRUCTION FOR TRUCK BODIES,

RACKS ETC Filed Dec. 26 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 1-7, 1923. 3 461 9069 A'. s. HUGHES SHEET METAL CONSTRUCTION FOR TRUCK B ODIESy RACKS, ETC

Filed Dec. 26, 1919 r 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTO R N EY I I I I I I l I I I II I I l I I I I I I l I I I I l I I I18:

I I I I I II I I z I has,

1 I own. o@ x n kw P. I t i uww mwfi mw \I Kw mw Rwk m I I m" I? T w \ww a. 5 I m Q I July 17, 1923. w 1.461.906

A. s. HUGHES Y SHEET METAL CONSTRUQTION FOR TRUCK BODIES, RACKS, ETC

Filed Dec. 26, 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 0 Lyj ov I WITNESSES ATTD R N EYJuly 17, 1923. 1.461.906

A. S. HUGHES I SHEET METAL CONSTRUCTION FOR TRUCK BODIES, RACKS, ETC

Filed Dec. 26, 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet e v LZL'OT M- 40 ATTO R N EY July 17,1923.

A. S. HUGHES CONSTRUCTIONFOR TRUCK BODIES, RACKS,

ETC

SHEET METAL Filed Dec. 26 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 XNVENTOR u 5: E I 75ATTORNEY WITNESS ES July 17, 1 923. I 1.461.906

A. S. HUGHES SHEET METAL CONSTRUCTION FOR TRUCK BODIES, RACKS, ETC

Filed Dec. 26, 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet a' III-III! 109 I II I I IIII III ITIIII aza WITNESSES I V ATTORNEY July 17, 1923. 1.461.906

A. S. HUGHE IS SHEET METAL CONSTRUCTION FOR TRUCK BODIES, RACKS, ETC

F iled Dec. 26, 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 i? I 1 4M 5 1 13 I %7. //4

Patented July 17, 1923.

ARTHUR SHERIDAN fiUGHES, -015 MANSFIELD, OHIO.

SHEET-METAL consrnuc'rron roe TRUCK BODIES, 'nnoxs, m.

Application filed December26, 1919. Serial No. 347,428.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ARTHUR S. IIUGHES, acitizen of the United States, residing at Mansfield, in the county ofRichland and State of Ohio, have invented anew and useful Sheet-MetalConstruction for Truck Bodies, Racks, Etc.,of which the following is aspecification.

This invention has reference to sheetsition and locked together by meansof channel-shaped locking bars ,engaging with the flanges thereof. Thesheet metal body members are bent short of their ends to provide uprightside Walls or portions which preferably form the sides of the body, andbracing means are providedto interlock with the upright and horizontalportionsat the bend oran le thereof so as to Strengthen the .benPreferablythecarrying body is made uplof a plurality of these channelmembers running transversely with their flanges set side by side, the,webs of the juxtaposed channel members. forming a substantiallycontinuous surface and providin .a bottom or floor for the body. Spacede annel bars/of similar form but oflless width run longitudinally of thebody parallel with each other, and

have their flanges interlocking by means of slots with the fiangesjof'the transverse members. Longitudinallooking means are also provided fortheJOngitudinal corners of the body to straddle the same. referably oneof two adjacentflanges of the juxs ta-posed channel members is.bent.overthe edge of the other and returned, whereby the channel niembers in"juxtaposition are additionally securedtogether.

The construction permits spot welding of the sheets 'or members whereverconnections are; desirable, thus 'avoldlng lnterior projections even tothe extent of rivet heads, so that the interior of the body is smoothand no obstruction is ofi'ered to either loading or unloading. The partsof the. body are secured together in such a' manner that rattling iseliminated during the life time of the body, while ready dis mantling ofthe body is permitted when the necessity for the same arises.

In the construction of platform railroad cars, mortar boxes and otherarticles, the channel members which constitute the body are arrangedlongitudinally and the locking bars disposed transversely. In makingracks and otheropen structures, the channel-shaped members have theirflanges spaced from each otherand"are not in contact as described.

In a pending application filed March 22, 1919, Serial Number 284,293, Ihave disclosed a vehicle body comprising side members of sheet metal, abottom or floor formed of channel-shaped members arranged longitudinallywith their edge flanges engaging each other and the side members, andtransverse bars traversing and interlocking both the edge flanges ofsaid members and the sides of the-body, said interlocking connectionholdin the channel. members, side members an the transverse bars againstmovement either longitudinally or transversely of the body.

In the present invention, thebody member s-are arranged transverselyand. they are shaped to constitute the bottom and sides of the body,while the locking bars are disposed. longitudinally, or at right anglesto the body members. The claims of this application :are not onlydirected to this difference over said application, butthey are genericin scope and are designed to comprehend broadly the construction of saidapplication Serial Number 284,293, as well as the structure embodied inan a plication filed of-even date herewith, erial Number 347,429.

The invention will be best understoodfroma consideration of thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings forming part of this specification, with the understanding,however, that the invention 1s not confined to any strict conformitywith the showin' in the drawmgs, but may be changec l and modified, solong as such changes and modificationsmark no mate.

rial departure from the salient features of the invent-ion as expressedin the appended claims.

* ventionally Figure 2 1s a rear end elevation of the same with the endgate shown partly broken away;

Figure3 is a perspective view of a portion of the body illustrated inthe two preshowlng the manner in which adjacent ceding figures showingone of the side racks, which forms a part of the invention, in place;

Figure A is a detail View in perspective illustrating the constructionof one form of the corner binding member;

Figure 5 is a cross sectionalyiew of the same showing the interlockingengagement of said binding member with the bottom and side flanges ofthe transverse channel body membersy Figure 6 is a cross sectionaldetail view flanges of the channelbody members are held together, thesection beingtaken substantially on the line 6 -6 of Fig. 2, .butomitting the angle piece for the lower end of the .tail gate; I

Figure 7 is a section showing the manner in which the front end plateand the side of the truck body are united F gure 8 is a centrallongitudinal section; F gure 9 is a bottom plan view;

F igure 10 is a perspective view of a side rack, parts being shownbroken away to illustrate the construction more clearly;

Flgure 11 is a vertical sectional view through one of the upright postsof the rack shown in position upon the truck body; Figure 12 is-asectional view takenon the line 1212 of Figure 11;

- Figure 13 is a perspective detail view on an enlarged scale showing aslightly modified form of binding member for a corner of the truck body;I

- Figure 14 is a further modification --of'a corner binding member;

Figure 15 is a vertical longitudinal sec tion of a platform truck body,the positions of two of the upright posts of the side rack beingindicated; l

Figure 16 is a cross sectional view'of the same substantially on theline 14-14 of Fig. 13;

Flgure 17 is a top plan view of the platform body illustrated in the twopreceding e I Figure 18 is a top plan-ofa mortar box constructed of;pressed steel sheets in accordance with this invention; a

Figure 19 is a longitudinal side elevation of the same, shown partly invertical section;

, or end of the gate.

Figure 20 is an end elevation of the mortar box, a segment only beingillustrated;

Figure 21 is avertical cross section showing a detail of theconstruction of the mortar box.

. Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 20 indicates a frame orchassis ofan auto truck and 21 the wheels. A cross beam 22 serves as arest for the forward end of the body, being secured to the frame 20.-.An angle bar 23 is made 'fast to the forward underside of the truckbody, and a cable 24 or the like is secured in any convenient way to'theangle bar. This cable is designed to be secured to a hydraulic hoist orsimilar means whereby the truck body may dump its load whenliftedat itsforward end. This constitutes no part of the present invention.

To permit this dumping, a hinge is provided comprising two or more angleplates 25 having a hinge rod 30 secured between the same, and okes 29embracing the rod and a neighboring angle plate. The yokes I 29 aresecured to the underside of the truck body in, any desirable way, as tolongitudina-l channel bars 28. The angle plates 25., are securedupon'the frame 20 at the rear end thereof, the arrangement being suchthat when the forward end of the truck body is lifted, the rear end willbe lowered, the movement taking 'place upon the rod 30 as an axis. Eachangle plate 25 is provided with a web 26 upon which a cross rod 31 ismounted. The outer ends of the cross rod 31 are each secured .to links32*- which, in turn, 'are pivotally connected with. other links 32*. Theupper ends of links 32 are guides 38, provided upon a tail gate 36. The

tail gate is hinged at its upper end to the truck body as by straphinges 37 secured on the rod 33, or in any other convenient man- -ner.The latch rods 35' project through perforation on the lower .side of thegate, and through similar perforations provided in an angle bar 39,which forms a rest for the low- When the truck body is to dumped, thelifting of its forward end will raise the outer ends of thelatch bars35, thereby releasing the tail gate from the angle bar 39,.

permitting it to swing upon its'hinges provided at its upper end.- Thusany material contained in the truck body" falls freely out the rearwithout hindrance by the tail gate and without necessitating anyoperation of the same. The tail gate, as described above, is entirelyautomaticv in its operation, returning to its closed position when thetruck body against rests upon the cross beam- 22, and relocking itself.It should be understood, however, that the tail ,gate and means foroperating" the same form no part of the present invention, and are onlyillustrated as oneof the many constructions of automatic gates whichmight be used in connection with a truck body adaptedto dump its load.

The present invention relates to a sheet 'metal construction, and, whiledescribed in connection with a dumping truck body pribilities of use inmany other lines. The ac-' claims this construction in its broadest aspect. and I wish it understood that I. do not limit myself to thespecial uses herein set forth.

Considering now in more detail the construction of the truck body,particularly disclosed in the first nine figures of the drawings, it isseen that this truck body'is made up of a plurality of channel bodymembers running transversely, each channel member comprising ahorizontal bottom portion 27 and upstanding or vertical side portions40.- The horizontal portions 27 and the upstanding "portions 40 areformed from the same metal sheet. The transverse channel members havetheir flanges cut as indicatedjat 53 in Figures 2 and 5 to permit 'ofthe bendingof the same short of their ends, whichprovides for theformation of the side portions 40 integral with the. bottom portions Theseveral transverse channel or members are placed with their side flanges52 extending or facing outwardly substans i tially parallel with eachother so that their webs lie in a single plane toform a smooth floor orbottom for the body. The side portions, .40 are likewise arranged toform smooth sides for the body. 1 The flanges 52 of the transversechannel members may be secured to each other in the followingmanner.

bent'around theend edge of the adjacent (See Figure 6 One ot-theflanges" 52 'ismade longer than the "other andfiisv flange 52and thenreturned upon itseltportion at each end of the said members. I

wish it understood that the claims in the present application are broadenough to comprehend that modification of the structure herein d isclosed.

- To secure the transverse channel or body members together, aplurality'ot' longitudinal'locking channel bars 28 are provided.

.These channelbars are spaced from each other at suitable intervalsalong the'bottom of the truck body, and have channels of considerablygreater depth than theflangesof the transverse channel or body members,as seen in Figure 2. As a result, the channel locking bars depend belowthe flanges of the channel or body members and rest upon the beam 22.Each cha-nnellocking bar 28 has itsside flanges 28* provided with spacedentering slots 28 where they. cross the flanges 52 of the transversechannel mem; bers, and said flanges '28 have outturned flanges 28. Theflanges 52, in turn, have matching slots 52, so that the double pairs ofslots provided where the' flanges cross permit/the locking bars toengage with the individual flanges of eachtransverse channel member,thusforming a very strongand reliable connection.

The construction is very clearl shown in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawing,rom which it will be seen that the depth of the slots 52 and 28 is suchthat the flanges 52 enter the locking bars for a portion of the depth ofthe latter, with the outturned flanges ZS" derface of the bottom of thebody. Locking rods 51 are also provided to run longitudinally'of thetruck body, passing through holesin the flanges 52' of the transversechannel body members and bearing against the outturned flanges 28 ofthe-longitudinal locking bars 28. These rods 51 at their ends .Will-preferably be bent at an angle so as to 'of-the locking bars bearingagainst the uni prevent longitudinal movement of the same. I

A pair of locking rods is provided for each 100 ing bar. 7

he sides of the truckbody', ashas been pointed out, are formedof'npstanding continuations 40 of thebottom members 27, and

are locked together-by longitudinal locking bars 44 and cooperatinglocking rods .47 traversing the flanges 516 precisely in the same mannerasthe interlocking connections between the'parts 28 and body members 27.Thehniper ends of, the transverse 8 tion of the corner lockingmembersind1-. 'cated'generally by the numeral 50 in Figstruction' materiallyincreases the strength of the sides of the truck body, besides adding tothe appearance of the same. The forward end plate 41 of the body isunited to the body'by means of the overlapped flange 46?, (See Figure7.) g

Considering now in detailthc construc- 52 of the transverse channel orbody members. The upper section .orpart 50 includes an upper horizontalportion 55 provided with slots at appropriate intervals to interlockwith similar slots provided upon the flanges 46, .as indicated at 56.,The inner end of the horizontal portion 55' is bent upwardly to'form aflange 66, ,which is also slotted where engaging with the flanges 46.The part 50 of the corner binding member also has, a lower horizontal,portion 59, the

horizontal portions 55 and 59, making up the upper section along withvertical portions 58 and 54 and the slanting portion 57.. The lowerhorizontal portion 59 has slots 60 at intervals.

The lower section is approximately chann'el shaped comprising ahorizontal portion 62,a narrow upstanding flange 61,- -'a wideupstanding flange 64 and' -an out- .turned flange 65 provided at theupper end of theflange 64. The outturned'flange 65 bears against theunder face of each transverse channel member 27, and is provided withslots at suitable intervals where the section 50 intersects the flanges52. The

wide flange 64 likewise has a slotted lock-- mg connection 69 with eachflange 52. It

will be here noted that the flange 64 of the lower section 50 is similarin every re spect' to the horizontal portion of the I upper section 50?,while the outstanding flanges and 66 correspond in function.

' Rods 67- are provided for thesame purpose as the rods 51 previouslyInentionedin connection with the locking bars 28.

\ The two sections of the binding meansor members are held togetherpartly'by means" of-the seating of the upper section 50? within thechannel of the loiwersectidn 50", as

illustrated. Furtherlocking means in the form of tongues 63"struck upfrom the hori zontal portion '62 are provided, the tongues 63being-forced in through" the slots 60 and,

forming a loop above the slots, whereby a "rod -68 may b e ihreadedthrough the loops and resting upon 'tlfeflower rhblizol ltat Punderstood from what has been said that the corner locking membersstraddle the corners at the outside thereof, and have as their specialfunction the prevention of any bending of the. sides of the truck bodyrelatively to the bottom. These corner locking members also hold thefront end plate 41 in place, in cooperation with the other longitudinalchannel locking bars 28 and 44. The specific binding means describedabove and-illustrated in. detail in Figures 4 and 5 is the preferredform, but many other bindirg members might be evolved to do the samework. Two of these are disclosed in Figures '13 and 14 and will beconsiders at this place.

In Figure 13 the chief diflerence between the construction theredisclosed and the construction of the binding member ofFigures 4'and 5,is the manner of uniting the upper and lower parts of the same. In theconstruction in Figure 13- the interlocking tongues and rods aredispensed with ,and instead a return bend is provided on the lower partof the binding membeig, which is bent around or clinched upon the lowerend of, the upper part of the same. The upper part 80 is made up of theupper horizontal portion 81 and the lower horizontal-portion 85- thevertical portion 83 and inclined portion 84, while the two flanges82 and86 are bent outwardly from the respective horizontal portions 81 and 85.zontal portion 81 has an interlockingslot connection'91 with the flange46, while the outstanding flange, 82 has a similar connection 92 withthe same. The lower part 80 of the binding member comprises a verticalportion 89 having an outwardly bent flange 90, both the vertical portion89 and the flange 90 having the usual slots to interlock the lower part80 and the flanges 52. The lower end of the upright portion 89 is bent,

as indicated at 88 about the under flange 86 The upper h0ri-' of theupper part 80 and then returned upon itself,.as indicated at 87. It willbe observed that this interlocking means provided forthe two parts ofthe corner bindi-ng member is substantially the same as that provided tohold adjacent flanges of the channel members of the truck body together.

Considering now the modification illustrated in Figure 14, it is seenthat the problem of strengthening the longitudinal corners of the truckbody is heresolved by a single channel member placed at an angle H toboth the bottom and a side of the truck body. Inasmuch as the sides ofthe truck body will ordinarily stand at right angles to the bottomthereof, the locking channel member here isdisposed at an an le of about45 "with reference both tojthe. ottom and suitable distance.

adjacent sides. Here a single channel member 93. having sides 94 atright angles to its web, is used. The outer portions of thesides. 94 arebent to form flanges 95. Each flange 95 where it intersects with theflanges 46 and 52 is provided with a slot 96, and each side 94 Where itintersects either flange 52 or- 46 is provided with thcinterlocking slotconnection 97. It will be seen that one of the flanges 95 will lie in ahorizontal position on the under sides of the transverse members 27,while the other flange 95 will lie in a vertical position without theside sections 40 of the truck body. Locking rods 67 are provided as inthe previously described constructions. It will be noted that in theseveral forms of the corner binding or joining means, the flanges of thechannel members are engaged by said'means at each side of the bend, andthe slot in the flanges at the bend is bridged or spanned. 7

In order to utilize the truck body for carrying bulky materials, sideracks may be employed. These side racks may be formed of a plurality ofchannel or body members placed in juxtaposition so as to form acontinuous supplementary side, and such a on struct-ion is considered tobe within the scope of my invention. However, for many purposes rackscomposed of a plurality of spaced channel, members will provesatisfactory, and that construction is here disclosed. Figure 3 showsone of these side racks in place upon the truck body. Figures 10, 11 and12 illustrate the construction of these side racks.

Referring to the latter figures, it is seen that the side racks includea plurality of channel or body members 70 interlocked with a pluralityof uprights or posts 71, which correspond with the locking bars 28 and44 in the body construction. The channel members or bars 70 runlongitudinally of the truck body and are spaced apart a There may be anynumber of these longitudinal channel bars and their spacing may bechanged as seems desirable. The upright posts 71 are set into the sidesof the truck body as disclosed,"

preferably one post being provided for each transverse channel member 27of the body, 7 but-any other number of posts may be employed. Each: post71- interlocks with the longitudinal channel bars 70 by the samecomplementary matching slot construction which has already beendescribed above and;

disclosed in my previously filed application, these slots beingindicated by the reference numerals 73 and 74. For a portion of theirlengths, the posts are provided with outstanding flanges 72, whichflanges have the usual slots for interlocking purposes. The flanges 72further act as spacers for the longitudinal channel bars 70. Bods 76 areprovided to additionally lock the channel.

flange 42 of the truck body sides, and the.

holes 49 and 49 being provided in the "side locking bar 44. The lowerends of the posts fit snugly into these holes or sockets and extendsomewhat below the longitudinal bar 44. The lower edges of the flanges72 abut against the flanges 42 when the posts are in place. Thus theflanges 72 also serve as stops for the racks to preventrthem from beingthrust too far into the sides receiving them.

Turning now toFiguresI5, 16 and 17,

there is disclosed'a platform truck body constructed in accordance withthe invention. This platform truck body includes longitudinal channel orbody members which may or may not run the entire length of the truck.These members correspond with the channel or body members-27, 40,previously described. As shown inthe drawings, however, the longitudinalmembers 100 extend for only a portion of the length of the truck bodyand there terminate. Thus, the truck body is made up of. two or moresets of longitudinal members, the sets being indicated generally by theletters X and Y. Any number of sets of these longitudinal members may beprovidedand the channel or body members 100 of each set may-be of. equalor unequal length. Where thelongitudinal members do not run the entirelength of the truck body, a joint 111 will be provided (Figure 15).Where the ends of the longitudinal channel members meet at this joint,.downwardly extending flanges 106 will be provided whicl f may beunited by one of the flanges 106 being bent over and then returned uponthe other in the manner described above.

In order to lock the longitudinal channel members 100 together,transverse locking bars 107 are provided which correspond with thelocking bars 28, 44. These transverse channel bars are secured in anydesirable way to the .frame of the truck and interlocked with thedownwardly extending flanges of the longitudinal members by means of thematching slots as described, and rods 102'with bent ends 103 andoutturned flanges 108. Adjacent flanges of the longitudinal members areunited by a return bend 105 which, in this construction, does' not runcontinuously the length of the longitudinal members, but is broken atintervals.

ioa

The platform truck body has its ends pro-' vided with downwardly turnedflanges 106 to'give a finish to the body, and. the transverse lockingbars 107 have socket pieces 109 at each end provided with square holes110 designed to receive the posts of a side rack of the constructionshown in Figures 10 to 12. Such a side rack, when secured upon the 1platform truck body, converts it into a body capable of car ing manymaterials and articles for whic it would not be otherwise adapted, andif a side rack is employed which is substantially a continuous orunbroken side, the platform truck body is adapted for other uses.

The sheet metal mortar box illustrated in Figures 18, 19, 20 and 21comprises a plurality of channel or body members 113 runninglongitudinally of the box to form the bottom thereof, which are bent asat-114 to.

dinal body members 113 are held together.

by return bends 121. The inclined sides of the box are braced by thechannel locking bars 117*, similar in all respects to the transverselocking bars 117. 7

It will be understood that the mortar box here described is anillustration of only one of the many bodies which might be formed byemploying the sheet metal construction which is the essence of thepresent invention.

I do not wish to be limited to, any particular kind of body or structureor to any particular use of a given. body or structure. Whether thechannel or body members will be disposed longitudinally or transverselywill depend upon the size and the use to which the structure will beput. I deem my invention to bebroad enough'to permit its use in allsheet metal construction, and desire to employ as many modifications ofthe 1 same as maybe embraced within the scope spaced enteri'ng'slots, ofa plurality'of chanin the opp of the appendediclaims. v

What I claim is: Q 1. The combination w1th a plurality of channelmembers having their flanges facing in one direction, said flangeshaving nel-bars arranged crosswise relatively to channel members withtheir flanges facing rovided with bars having their flanges anges ofsaid spaced entering slots, the

The other two' osite direction,said cross channel said slots, the slotsin the flanges of said members being of 'a' depth to cause the flangesof the channel bars to enter the same and bear against the inner-facesof said members. I

2. The combination with a plurality of channel members having theirflanges facing in one direction, said flan es having spaced enteringslots, of a plurality of channel bars arranged crosswise relatively tothe channel members with their flanges facing in the opposite direction,said cross bars having their flanges provided with spaced enteringslots, the flanges of said bars and members interlocking by-means ofsaid slots, and supplementary means for holding the bars and members inlocked position.

3. The combination with a plurality of channel members having theirflanges facing in one direction, said flanges having spaced enteringslots, of a plurality of channel bars arranged crosswise relatively tosaid channel members with their flanges faclng in the oppositedirection, said cross channel bars havingtheir flanges proyided withspaced entering slots, the flanges of said bars and members interlockingby means of said slots and extending at right angles to each other, andthe webs of said bars and members being parallel to each other andspaced apart by the width of said flanges.

.4. The combination with a plurality of channel members having all theirflanges facing in one direction, said flanges having spaced enteringslots, of a plurality of channel bars arranged crosswise relatively tosaid channel members with their flanges facing in the oppositedirection, said cross channel bars having their flanges provided withspaced entering slots, the flanges of said bars and membersinterlockingby means of said slots, each of said cross channel barshaving the outer edges of their flanges turned outwardl to formauxiliary flanges at an angle to the main flanges said auxiliary flangesinterlocking with the flanges of the channel members to hold the barsand members in locked relation,

5. The combination with a plurality of channel members having theirflanges facing in one direction, said flanges having spaced enteringslots, and a plurality of channel-bars arranged crosswise relatively tosaid channel members with their; flanges facing in the oppositedirection, said cross channel bars having their flanges provided withspaced entering slots, the-flanges of the said bars and membersinterlocking by means of said slots, each of said cross channel'barshaving the outer edges of their flanges turned outwardly to formauxiliary flanges at an angle to the main flanges, said auxiliaryflanges interlocking with the members and bars interlocking by means offlanges of the channel members, and means engaging with each of theauxiliary flanges of the cross bars and also passed through the flangesof the channel members.

'6. In combination with plates of channel form, the flanges thereofforming the sides of the channel, the channels facing in one dlrection,and said flanges having alined, spaced, entering slots, and lockingbars'of channel form having outturned flanges, said flanges havingspaced entering slots, the

slots of the locking bars matching the slots of the flanges of theplates and being of a depth to permit the flanges-of the plates to enterthe locking bars to a point to cause said outturned flanges to bearagainst the faces of said plates and provide an interlocking connectionbetween said elements.

7. In combination with body members composed of plates of channel form,the flanges thereof forming the sides of the channel, and the flanges ofadjoining plates being'i n juxtaposition, the channels of the platesopening outwardly and said flanges having spaced entering slots, andlocking bars of channel form having sides with outturned flanges, saidsides having slots, the slots of the locking bars matching the slots ofthe flanges of the body members and b eing of a depth to permit saidflanges to enter the locking bars at a point so that said outturnedflanges bear against the faces of said body members, thereby forming aninterlocking connection between said ele ments, and a transverse lockingrod'passed through the flanges of the body members heneath saidoutturned flanges of the locking bars for securing said parts together.

8. Abody comprising a floor and enclosing sides, the combination withchannel members arranged substantially parallel to each other andsecured together side by side, each channel member forming. a section ofthe floor and two of the sides of the bod) and a plurality of lockingbars of channel form having the flanges of their channels interlockedwith'the flanges of each of the channel members substantially at rightan gles thereto;

ing sides, the combination with channel members secured together side byside, said members having-all their channels facing outwardly, theflanges of said channels having spaced entering slots, each channel member forming a section of the floor and two of the sides of said body, ofa plurality of spaced locking bars of channel form arranged crosswiserelative to .the channel members with their 'channels facing inwardly,said locking bars having flanges wlth entering slots, the flanges ofsald members and bars interlocking by means of said slots.

10. In a body having a floor .with an inte-- --gralside,;the combinationof a plurality of channel members 'lying in juxtaposition,

9. A body comprlsinga floor and enclosing outwardly and split and bentupwardly at the point where the side is to be formed, of a plurality oflocking bars extending at right angles to the channel members andspanning the split and bent portion of said members and engagingtherewith to hold the channel members together.

11, In a body having a floor with sides, the combination of a pluralityof channel members bent at an angle at points spaced from each end, toform the floor and sides of the body, the flanges of the/ said membersfacing outwardly, a plurality of locking bars at right angles to thechannel members and spanning the bend of said members and interlockedtherewith to hold the channel members in juxtaposition.

12. In a body having a floor with integral sides, the combination of aplurality of channel members each having its flanges facing outwardly,said members being arranged side by side with a flange of one member inlapped engagement with a flange of the adjacgnt member, said membersbeing bent at an t ngle at points spaced from each end to "form thefloor and sides of the body, and a plurality of locking bars extendingin an opposite direction to said members and interlocked therewith. saidlocking bars spanning the bends of said members.

13. In a body having a floor with-integral sides, the combination of aplurality of channel members each havingiits flanges facingoutwardly,said members being arranged side by side with a flange of one member inlapped engagement with a I flange of the" adjacent member, said membersof the body, while others span the bends of said members.

14, In a "body having a floor withsides, the combination of a pluralityof channel members bent at an angle at points spaced from each end toform the floor and sides thereof, the flanges of said channel membersfacing outwardly and a plurality of channel locking bars at right anglesto the channel members to hold the same in juxtaposition, thevflange sof said locking members facing 'inwardly the said locking bars beingparallel to and spaced from each other and running beneath the floorandwithout the sides of the body, the flanges of said bars and eachother. .v p 15. In a bOdyCOIDPIISIIIg a bottom, sides and ends,transverse channel members tomembers being interlocked where they crossi extending in the same direction and lying side by side, longitudinallyextending changether forming-the bottom and two sides of the body, andlongitudinal channel bars interlocking with each of the transversechannel members to hold'them in juxtaposition, the forward ends of thelongitudinal locking channel bars projecting beyond the forward end ofthe body and interlocking with said end.

16. In a :body comprising the bottom, sides and ends, transverse channelmembers to 'ether forming the bottom'and sides of the body, andlongitudinal channel bars interlocking with each of the transversechannel members to hold them in juxtaposition, the forward ends of thechannel bars pro ,jecting beyond the forward end plate of the body andinterlocking with the same, the forward transverse channel members beingflanges extending in thesame direction and lying side by side, of aseries of other channel bars running crosswise with respect to thechannel members and interlocking therewith, the adjacent flanges of thechannel members being secured together additionally by having one flangeof each pair bent over the lower edge of the other flange and returned,

18. In a" body having transversely extend ing channel members formingthe bottom and sides of said body and having their flanges nel lockingbars for said channel members, said longitudinal bars being engaged withthe flanges of the transverse members at the bottom and along the sidesof the body, and other locking means running longitudinally of the bodyand engaging both with the botthe combination of a pluralit tom andadjacent side for strengthening the angle between the bottom and side,

19. -Ina body having afloor with sides,

versely extending channel mem ers secured together side by side, each ofsaid channel members being bent short of its ends, the bent portionsforming the sides of the body, the intermediate portions forming thefloor or bottom, and longitudinal lockin means straddling or spanningthe longitudinal corners of the body to brace the sides and floortogether.

tions forming the floor, longitudinal ch'annel locking rs traversing thetransverse channel members along thebottom and sides.

of trans ofthe body', and additional I longitudinal.

locking means straddling or spanning the longitudinal-corners of,, thebody to brace the sides and floor together, said longitudinal lockingbars and means' being spaced from and parallel to eachotherand lyingwithout the load-containing part of the truck body.

21. In combination, a plurality of substantially horizontal channelmembersv each bent short of its ends to form two upright portions andahorizontal portion, the flanges of said members facing outwardly and alocking member traversing the flanges of the horizontal and uprightportions and interlocking therewith at the bend or corner.

stantially horizontal channel members, each bent short of itsends toform two upright sections or sides, said members having their flangesfacing outwardly and arranged in j uxtaposition, said flanges beingsplit at the bends, and a locking member spanning the split portion ofthe flanges and engaged with said flanges at each side of said splitportion. 7

24. In combination, .a plurality of substantially horizontal channelmembers, each bent short of its ends to form two uprightportions and ahorizontal ortion constituting respectively the two sides and floor orbottom of a body, said channel members having their flanges facingoutwardly and arranged in juxtaposition, locking members traversing theflanges of the horizontal and upright portions and interlockingtherewith at the bends or corners, said locking members havingoutstanding flanges bearing against the outside of the floo'r and sides,and locking rods passed through the flanges of the channel members andengaged with the outstandingflanges of the Iocking'mem- I bersz- [25. Incombination, a plurality of substantially horizontal channel memberseach bent short of itsends to form two upright sections or sides, and alocking member traversing the flanges of the horizontal and uprightsections and interlocking therewith at the bend or corner, said flangesall extending outwardly, and said locking member lymg wholly without thebend or corner and straddling the same and comprising two interlockingparts.

26. In combination, a plurality of sub stantially horizontal channelmembers each bent short of their ends to form an upright section orside, and locking members traversing the flanges of the horizontal andupright sections and interlocking therewith at the bend or corner, saidlocking member comprising two interlocking parts, one of said partsbeing in turn interlocked with the horizontal sections of the channelmembers and the other part being interlocked with the upright. sections.

27. In combination, a plurality of substantially horizontal channelmembers each bent short of theinends to form an upright section, alocking member traversing the flanges of the upright and horizontalsections and interlocking therewith at the bend stantially horizontalchannel members each bent intermediate its ends to form an uprightsection, a locking member traversing the flanges of the horizontal andupright sections and interlocked therewith at the bend or corner, saidlocking member comprising two interlocked parts, the first partcomprising an upper portion interlocking with the flanges of the u rightsections, a lower portion locked wit a second part, and an uprightportion joining the upper and lower portions, said second part includinga channel-shaped member underlying the lower horizontal portion of thefirst part, said channel-shaped member having flanges, one of saidflanges interlocking with the flanges of the horizontal sections, theother flange lying without the upright portion of the first part andaidingin holding the two parts of the locking member together.

29. In combination, a plurality of substantially horizontal channelmembers each bent short of its ends to form an upright section, alocking member traversing the flanges of the horizontal anduprightsections and interlocking therewith at the bend or corner, saidlocking member comprising two interlocking parts, the lower of said 1parts being interlocked with the horizontal sections of the channelmembers and the other part bein interlocked with the upright sections 0the channel members, said upper part being provided with a plurality ofslots, said lower part having a plurality of struck-up tongues in thefgrm of loops forced into said slots, and rods run through longitudinalchannel members, and a the loops and locking the parts of the lookingmember together.

30. In a truck body, side racks adapted to be held in vertical positionupon the body, said side racks comprising a plurality of longitudinalchannel members, said channel members having their flanges extendingoutwardly with reference to the truck body, said flanges having alinedentering slots and a plurality of upright channel bars having theirflanges provlded with alined entering slots and interlocked with saidlongitudinal channel members, the channels of the uprightsfacing-inwardly with reference to the truck body.

31. In a truck body, side racks adapted to be held in vertical positionupon the body, said side racks comprising a plural-ity of plurality ofupright bars interlocked with the said channel members, said barsbeingof channel form and having sides with out turned flanges, saidoutturned flanges extending for a portion of the length of said uprightsto interlock with the longitudinal members and space the same apart.

32. In a truck body, side racks adapted to be held in vertical positionupon the body, said side racks comprising a plurality of longitudinalchannel members, and a plurality of upright channel bars interlockedwith said longitudinal members, said bars having flanges inturned for aportion of their length to form a hollow rectangular post adapted to fitupon said truck body.

33. In a truck body, side racks adapted to be held in vertical positionupon the body, said side racks comprising a plurality of longitudinalchannel members and a plurality of upright channel bars interlocked withsaid longitudinal channel members, the channels of the longitudinalmembers facing in a direction opposite to that in which the channels ofthe upright bars face, said bars having sides provided with outturnedflanges for a portion of the length thereof to interlock with thelongitudinal members and space the same apart, said bars also havinginturned flanges for a portion of their length to form a hollowrectangular post adapted to'be engaged with the sides of said body.

34. In a truck body, side racksadapted to beheld in vertical positionupon the body, said side racks comprising a plurality of longitudinalchannel members and a plural ity of upright channel bars interlockedwith said longitudinal channel members, the

channels of the longitudinal members facing in a direction opposite tothat in which the channels of the upright barsface, said bars havingsides provided with outturned flanges for a portion of them length tomterlock with the longitudinal members and space the same apart, saidbars also having inturned flanges for a portion of their length to forma hollow rectangular post adapted to be engaged with the sides'of saidbody, the lower edges of said outturned flanges forming stops to holdthe racks in proper position.

35. In a truck body, side racks removably fitted upon said body, saidside racks comprisin a plurality of spaced apart 10ngitudina ly runningparallel channel members, and a plurality of upright channel barsseparated from each other and interlocking with each of the longitudinalchannel members, and rods traversing the longitudinal channel membersand running with the upright-channel bars'in juxtaposition therewith tofurther hold the parts of the racks together.

36. In a truck body, a plurality of transversely running channel membersforming body having an upper outturned flange, said outturned flange andthe sides of said longi- I tudinal side locking members havingvertically alined perforations, whereby the'uprights of a side rack mayrun through said perforations to maintain said side rack in verticalposition u on the body and substantially in the 'p ane of the sides ofthe truck body.

In testimony that I claim the foregoingas my own, I have hereto aflixedmy slgnature.

ARTHUR SHERIDAN HUGHES. \Vitnesses:

AUBREY L. FORD, CHARLES T. BINKS.

